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"Those markings..."
Doflamingo's pupils contracted.
Rebecca, however, was overjoyed.
The moment she saw the golden markings spreading across Kyros's face and watched Doflamingo get blasted backward, her confidence immediately returned.
"I understand, Father."
She nodded firmly.
"I'll leave this place to you."
Without hesitation, she turned and led the other soldiers away from the battlefield.
Within minutes, the training grounds were nearly empty, leaving only Kyros and Doflamingo facing one another.
A short distance away, King Riku finally arrived and met up with Rebecca.
"Rebecca, do you think Kyros can win?"
"I do." Rebecca's eyes never left the battlefield. "Before Lord Ikki left Dressrosa, he entrusted Father with the sword that carries the legend of the dragon-slaying hero."
Her expression was filled with confidence.
King Riku nodded.
"I understand."
He immediately turned toward the surrounding soldiers.
"In that case, leave Doflamingo to Kyros. The rest of you, come with me."
His expression became serious.
"Organize the troops and stabilize the situation. Don't allow anyone near this area. Keep the civilians away from the battlefield as well."
After witnessing the power displayed by Ikki and his companions, King Riku had long since understood the terrifying difference between ordinary people and true powerhouses.
For normal civilians, simply being too close to a battle like this could prove fatal.
After a long moment of silence, Doflamingo finally spoke.
"The technique you used earlier..."
His eyes narrowed.
"Did that bastard Ikki teach it to you?"
Originally, he had planned to bypass Kyros and kill Rebecca first.
But after sensing the pressure emanating from Kyros, he realized that was no longer realistic.
Defeating Kyros first would be far easier than trying to ignore him.
"Doflamingo."
Kyros gripped his sword with both hands.
The golden lightning dancing around his body intensified, spreading across the ground and cracking the stone beneath his feet.
"You aren't worthy of speaking Lord Ikki's name."
His gaze remained ice cold.
"Since you've returned to Dressrosa, you'll pay for everything you've done."
At that moment, Kyros couldn't help admiring Ikki's foresight.
Before leaving Dressrosa, Ikki had specifically warned him that Doflamingo might attempt to return while he was away.
For the past several days, Kyros had been waiting.
Now, the enemy had finally arrived.
"Pay the price?" Doflamingo burst into laughter. "Fufufufufu! Whether I pay any price depends on whether you have the ability to make me."
A dangerous killing intent erupted from him.
"Kyros, I heard you killed Diamante with that sword."
His grin widened.
"In that case, I hope you're prepared for the consequences."
The pressure pouring from him would have terrified most people.
Kyros didn't react at all.
His eyes remained fixed on Doflamingo.
Seeing no response, Doflamingo sneered.
"Looks like there's nothing left to discuss."
His body suddenly shot forward.
"Fine."
A vicious smile spread across his face.
"We'll talk after I cut off your remaining leg."
Using his strings to propel himself, Doflamingo accelerated toward Kyros at incredible speed.
Unfortunately for him—
Kyros was even faster.
"Thunder Breathing, Seventh Form: Flaming Thunder God!
BOOM!
Thunder exploded across the battlefield.
Kyros transformed into a roaring dragon of lightning and instantly appeared in front of Doflamingo.
For the first time, genuine shock appeared on Doflamingo's face.
"So fast—!"
Buzz!
A muffled collision rang out.
Doflamingo's Armament Haki-coated strings briefly resisted before being sliced apart by the golden lightning.
Then Kyros's sword continued forward.
Like the first light of dawn piercing through endless darkness.
Straight toward Doflamingo himself.
Doflamingo's eyes widened behind his sunglasses.
His body immediately twisted sideways.
At the same time, Observation Haki guided him as he hastily reinforced the threatened area with Armament Haki.
He had no intention of testing that attack head-on.
Unfortunately—
Slash!
Blood sprayed through the air.
Doflamingo's body appeared several meters away.
A deep wound had been carved across his chest.
His expression instantly darkened.
"Thunder Breathing..."
He lowered his gaze to the injury.
"So this is the swordsmanship Ikki taught you."
His voice was no longer relaxed.
"That speed. That Armament Haki."
"No wonder Diamante died."
As he spoke, countless strings emerged from his fingertips and immediately began stitching his wound back together.
Fortunately, his defensive strings had bought him a brief moment.
Combined with his reaction speed, the injury wasn't fatal.
Even so, Doflamingo no longer dared underestimate Kyros.
The Kyros standing before him now was nothing like the gladiator he had manipulated years ago.
The thought of Sugar immediately reignited the hatred burning in his heart.
Meanwhile, Kyros slowly lowered his sword.
Golden lightning continued dancing around him.
"Even so, that attack wasn't enough to defeat you."
His expression remained cautious.
He dodged the Seventh Form.
I've already mastered the essence of that technique.
If even that wasn't enough...
Kyros's gaze fell toward the sword in his hand.
Then I may have no choice but to use that power.
Originally, he had hoped to finish the battle instantly.
The faster Doflamingo fell, the less danger there would be to the civilians.
Unfortunately, reality was rarely so simple.
A brilliant blue light suddenly burst from the blade.
Whoom!
The radiance instantly spread across Kyros's entire body.
Under the shining light, his original armor gradually dissolved.
In its place appeared magnificent silver armor.
Doflamingo's eyes widened.
"What...?"
The transformation was instantaneous.
Not only had Kyros's appearance changed, but his aura had become completely different.
If Kyros had merely been troublesome before...
Now he was genuinely dangerous.
A sense of unease crept into Doflamingo's heart.
That power...
His gaze slowly dropped toward the weapon in Kyros's hands.
The famous sword Raiu had vanished.
In its place stood a magnificent two-handed greatsword.
The dragon-slaying Noble Phantasm—
Balmung.